Could Self Care Be The Secret To Being Well? Part #2

This is PART TWO of our blog about self care - If you haven’t already, head here to find the first five tips on how to bring self care into your daily life and cement it as part of your wellness practices!

6. Cook something

It really doesn’t matter what it is – don’t feel you have to create some Instagram-worthy paleo recipe to be practising self-care. Try not to turn eating into yet another way of putting pressure on yourself. Cooking a meal is about nourishing and caring for yourself, which is a a great mindset to be in when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Of course we love this tip and advocate making healthy meals in our three cookbooks (available here). We love simple, wholesome meals that the whole family can enjoy. Our tip? Plan a week out. Write the shopping lists, the meal plan and put it into action to reduce the stress.

7. Take a bath

Do this at the end of the day instead of reaching for a glass of wine. It’s good to have a winding down routine that doesn’t always involve letting off steam with alcohol.

Add Epsom salts to your bath – they’re full of magnesium which will relax your muscles and help you sleep. Add a few drops of lavender oil for its calming properties.

This is one of Mel’s favourite ways to unwind. We make sure we have time to bathe and enjoy some downtime regularly.

8. Bye-bye binge watching

Now we’re not saying that you need to give up Netflix! But there’s a big difference between watching a few episodes of a show you truly love, and zoning out to countless re-runs of the Real Housewives of Wherever. The first makes you feel good, the second makes you feel like a zombie. Choose your viewing with love and attention.

We don’t watch much TV at all, preferring reading, talking and going to bed early. Make a bedtime ritual that doesn’t revolve around screentime and prioritise your sleep over catching up on your favourite shows.

9. Do a friend detox

This one can be harder than a juice cleanse, if you ask us, but real self-care means establishing strong boundaries with your friends. If you have a friend who always makes you feel bad about yourself, or if you’re always the last to get the invitation – you can do better.

Let go of unhealthy friendships and make space for the people who truly have your back (and make sure you have theirs, too).

It’s important to maintain friend time, especially when you have a busy family life. Make friend dates part of your everyday life - Maybe you can meet for a beach walk and include this as part of your exercise regime, or meet for a coffee when you’re out grocery shopping.

10. Put yourself in your own diary

Most of us are so busy rushing from one commitment to another that we rarely stop and make time for ourselves.

Put self-care in your diary the same way you would anything else that’s important to you. Taking time out from the crazy treadmill of work, eat, sleep and repeat is the best way to resource and refuel.

Love this. Do this. We do!

11. Love more

So the news is terrible, your commute was hellish and you’ve got an inbox full of urgent emails that should have been answered yesterday.

The world can feel like a harsh place sometimes, and we can feel too small and helpless to change it.

In truth, the best cure for that feeling starts with you. If you think the world should be more loving (don’t we all?), then get out there and make the difference.

You don’t have to smooch a stranger, just a smile or a compliment can really make someone’s day. In turn, that’s going to make you feel better, too.

The world could do with a little more love, as could you! Hugs are great. Quality time is great. Touching base with friends and family is great. Spread the love!

We hope you enjoyed our two-part self care series. We’d love to hear from you if you have implemented these into your life! Comment below.